Kidneys of 3,000 children fail in Pakistan every year

KARACHI: Kidneys of 3,000 children fail every year as 20 per cent increase in kidney complaints has been witnessed in Pakistan. Kidney disorders need to be tackled in the initial stage because they are silent killers causing hypertension and many other diseases. Parents should understand the symptoms of malfunctioning kidneys.
These issues were highlighted by nephrologists (kidney experts) at a public awareness seminar organised by Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Memorial Society (MKRMS), National Institute of Child Health (NICH) and Abbot Laboratories Pakistan. The experts included National Institute of Child Health Director Prof Dr Syed Jamal Raza, Paediatric Nephrology Department Head Prof Dr Khem Chand Moorani, Dr Anwar Arain, and Senior Registrar Dr Bilquees Naeem.
Prof Jamal Raza said one of the main reasons of kidneys problems is formation of stones which, if not treated timely, can cause kidney failure which may eventually necessitate kidney transplant. He said some 3,000 children face kidney failure. Only 500 kidney transplantations have been performed so far due to lack of organ donation trend. He stressed the need for creating awareness about organ donation.
Dr Moorani said kidney disorders are quite common because their onset is quite silent. He said some kidney disorders are genetic and congenital while some are caused by excessive use of drugs. He said these diseases have registered a 20 per cent increase. He said screening for kidney disorders should be made part of children’s immunisation programme. He said newborn’s weight less than 2.5 kilogramme, anaemia and breathing problems could be a sighn of kidney disorder.
Dr Arain said kidney stones could be congenital, due to infection or flaws in the organ due to which kidney doesn’t push out urine completely. He said some stones remain silent while some get stuck in the urinary duct causing inflammation of kidney and eventually its failure. Therefore, he added, enough water intake should be ensured, and added a child with such a problem should not be given cabbage, tomatoes, spinach, leafy vegetables and vitamin tablets. A child with fever and loss of appetite should also be checked, he added.
Dr Bilquees said urinary infections are quite common in children. A child should be referred to a consultant in case of bedwetting, excessive urination, weak urine stream, dribbling, constipation, vomiting, poor appetite to rule out kidney infection which, if recurrent, could spoil the organ. Uncircumcised children are also at risk of developing stones, she added.
The experts also answered questions from the audience. MKRMS Chairman Wasif Nagi said people should emulate example of Princess Diana who had donated her organs. He said MKRM would conduct public awareness seminars in collaboration with the NICH.